by Linda Kage
Allison?
Drew’s shoulders slumped. "Oh," he answered, unable to keep the disappointment from his voice.
Jeff laughed. "What? Don’t you date women named Allison?"
Drew shrugged. "I’m not much into blind dates."
"Yeah," his brother-in-law lamented. "Don’t blame you much there. I met Amanda on a blind date."
Drew lifted his face and frowned as the insult to his sister hit him all the way to the core. But Jeff was quick to add, "I mean, that’s the only time I ever saw a set up actually work."
Calming, Drew took a quick drink. He studied his brother-in-law from the corner of his eye. From the very beginning, Jeff had liked to talk about women a little too much whenever he was away from his wife. From the stories he’d told Drew, he’d been the ultimate player before he’d gotten married.
But Mandy had never voiced a concern over his fidelity … until now. Drew had to think if Jeff had done something wrong, he hadn’t only started doing it recently. Because, honestly, why would he wait all these years when he’d had a wandering eyes for the entire duration? It didn’t make sense. Ergo, Mandy had to be wrong. No way would it take her twelve years to figure out something this big.
•
The interior of the house that sat on 410 South Elm had been silent for nearly twenty-four hours. Mia wasn’t certain what to do about it. She hated being on the outs with her roommate. Piper had been there, by her side, through the worst part of her life.
But she didn’t want her roommate to think she approved of Piper’s scandalous activities either because, honestly, what was worse than dating a married man?
Mia shivered. She never would’ve guessed her friend could lower herself to such levels. Piper was so vivacious and energetic. Men flocked to her in droves. She could have her pick from any number of single men out there. Why would she—
"Mi Mi?"
Jumping, Mia spun from the kitchen counter where she’d been quietly slathering Miracle Whip on a piece of bread to make herself a sandwich and found Piper huddled in the doorway, her entire stance uncertain and hesitant, which totally wasn’t the Piper she knew.
"Are you still mad at me?"
"Oh, Pipe." Mia’s shoulders slumped. She sat down the butter knife. "I was never mad at you. I’m just really concerned. What you’re doing is not only immoral, but dangerous. What if his wife is crazy enough to hurt you?"
After meeting Amanda Wright, Mia had to think her anxiety wasn’t too farfetched either. There had been something lethal and unhinged in Mandy’s glare when Mia had met her the day before.
"Well, you don’t have to worry about it anymore," Piper said. She lowered her gaze and focused on her hands she had clasped against her stomach. "I … I broke up with him. Last night." When she lifted her face, she still looked guilty, biting her lip and staring at Mia as if she expected to receive ten lashes for her announcement.
Relief swarming through her, Mia let out a big grin. "You did? Piper, that’s wonderful. And very smart."
Still appearing uncertain as she gifted Mia with a tremulous smile, Piper asked, "So … you’re not mad at me anymore?"
"I was never mad at you," Mia repeated and even drifted forward to envelope Piper in a tight, but quick, hug. "But I’m much more proud of you now."
"Thank goodness." Piper sighed and squeezed Mia tight before letting go and pulling back. "I don’t think I could stand it if you didn’t like me anymore. You’re my best friend, Mi Mi."
Touched that Piper felt so strongly about keeping their friendship alive, Mia reached out and covered her roommate’s fingers with her own. "You’re my best friend too. And don’t worry about me deserting you. I’ll always be here for you. No matter what."
Piper’s smile was relieved; she once again looked like her confident self. "Thank you. That’s exactly what I needed to hear."
•
Mandy attacked as soon as Drew slipped back into the kitchen.
"So … did you notice anything off?"
Drew sighed and pressed his back to the closed door. Jeff had decided to finish his third beer and had stayed behind in the garage.
"No," he said. "And to be honest, the only person acting strange today was you."
She sent him a questioning look. "But—"
He held up a hand. "I know you’re going to hate me for saying this, but I don’t think he’s cheating on you." It was either that, or he’d never been faithful in the first place … something she hopefully would’ve figured out a long time ago.
"So, what about the flowers?"
"Ask him about them already," Drew ground out. "I’m sure he’ll have a perfectly reasonable explanation."
"And what about the … the other?"
Drew winced and held up a hand as if that would block the words from reaching his ears. "Mandy, please. I just ate."
"I’m serious, Drew. Why hasn’t he acted interested—"
"Once again, I think you need to talk to him about it. Not me." Please, God. Never Drew.
"I can’t ask yet," she answered, pitching her voice low. "And you know why."
He sighed. "Look—"
But the door to the garage was opening and a blissfully unaware Jeff stepped into the kitchen to join them.
"I gotta go," Drew muttered, glancing once toward Jeff, and then turning and walking from the house. He didn’t stop to say bye to his nieces and nephew as he usually did, but trotted straight to his truck, not pausing until he sat behind the wheel with the engine running. Then he glanced up at his sister’s place. It was as nice and peaceful looking as any house. The perfect family home. Staring at it, Drew remembered another house, very similar to it, almost a replica of this one. From the outside, it had looked flawless and pristine. But inside, a mother paced, itching to leave her husband and two kids. Itching to leave Drew.
She’d waited until his first day of second grade before she’d skipped out on them and never returned. And the only person he’d had to rely on after that was Mandy, Mandy who’d been forced to raise him not as a big sister but more like a single parent. He wouldn’t be anything today if it wasn’t for her and her steady presence.
Guilt weighing on him, he geared his truck into reverse and backed out of her drive. His sister never asked him for help. And yet, here she was, needing one simple favor and he was failing her.
No, he didn’t think Jeff was cheating, or at least that he’d taken up the habit recently, but that didn’t mean he should brush the subject aside like he was.
Amanda needed answers, so he’d get them.
Five minutes later, he parked at the curb in front of 410 South Elm. He blew out a breath as he cut the engine. Yeah, he could do this. For Mandy, he could do this.
If he wanted to be perfectly honest, he wanted to do it for himself more. He needed to know what Mia’s relationship with his brother-in-law entailed just as much as he needed to explore the intense chemistry that flowed between them.
Knocking on the front door of the light green bungalow, Drew wiped his suddenly damp palms on his jeans, wondering what in the world he was going to say to her.
An apology would be a good start. He and Amanda had scared her to death the day before.
When he heard footsteps inside, he braced for the punch of longing he’d experienced the other two times he’d seen Mia. Ready to start talking as soon as he saw her and apologizing profusely so she wouldn’t slam the door in his face, Drew sucked in a breath.
But as the door opened, Mia’s face didn’t greet him. All the bunched tension inside him deflated.
Who was this?
With long hair, tinted about fifty different shades of blond and brown and red, the lithe figure that greeted him had him pulling back and frowning.
"Uh … " Stepping backward another foot, he read the address. When he saw the numbers 410, he turned reluctantly back to the woman. "Is … Mia here?"
The woman froze. Her gaze slid down his body and then a moment later, she sent him a blinding smile. "Oh," she breath
ed. "You must be Drew."
"I …" Huh? "Yeah. How did you—"
"Come in, come in," she told him, taking his arm and practically yanking him into the front parlor. He stumbled across the threshold and into a tidy living room, decorated in tones of blue.
"Mi Mi!" The woman called, turning away from him to cup her hands around her mouth. "You have a visitor." She instantly whirled back and flashed him a wide smile. "She’ll be right here," she murmured and couldn’t seem to stop staring or smiling with a freaky, knowing glint in her eyes.
He cleared his throat and had to glance away, way too uncomfortable under such extreme inspection. But the woman wouldn’t stop gawking.
He treated her to a tense smile. "So, ah … Not to be rude or anything. But, uh, how do you know my name?"
"Whoops." She threw back her head and barked out a quick laugh even as she reached out to touch his shoulder. "Sorry about that. I’m Piper Holliday. Mia’s roommate."
He drew back in surprise. "Oh." Oh.
Oh, no.
"She’s mentioned you," Piper added and gave him a huge, stunning grin.
His stomach knotted painfully.
"Really?" he couldn’t help but ask, hoping he didn’t sound as hopeful as he felt.
He wasn’t sure what surprised him more. The fact that Mia had a roommate or that she’d mentioned him to said roommate.
"Piper, what’s—"
Mia appeared in the arched opening of the room and slowed to a shocked halt.
His pulse beat a hard tattoo through his body. Shoving his hands into his pockets, he breathed out the word, "Hi."
She closed her mouth. "Drew? What’re you doing here?" Her gaze zipped from her roommate to him and then back to her roommate before settling on him.
"Uh … " he glanced toward Piper. No way could he apologize in front of her roommate—her roommate, who also lived at 410 South Elm.
"You know," Piper broke the loud silence and started to back toward the exit. "I was just about to head to the mall. So, if you two will excuse me." She paused to scoop up a purse and a set of keys by the door.
"Drew," she added. "It was nice to meet you."
He swallowed. "Yeah." He wasn’t certain if it was so nice, though. Sure, it seemed to clear Mia from guilt. But it didn’t clear Jeff … at all.
Neither he nor Mia spoke until they heard Piper’s car start outside and back down her drive.
Then he lifted his face. "You have a roommate."
Mia’s lips compressed in a tight line. "What are you doing here, Drew?" Her voice was in no way welcoming.
He blew out a breath and started to lift his hands to sift his fingers through his hair. But that’s when he caught sight of the flowers.
"Oh, man," he whispered.
Mia followed his stare and immediately stepped into his line of vision, though they both knew the damage had already been done.
Betrayed, he sent her look.
"You didn’t get a delivery of flowers, huh?" he murmured, moving toward them.
"Drew—" she started.
But he ignored her. "I guess that means these are for your roommate then. For Piper."
And yes, there was the note, sticking up between the buds, with the word "Piper" stenciled out in a man’s heavy scrawl. Was it Jeff’s writing? He had no idea.
He reached for the envelope, but Mia caught his arm.
"You can’t read her note."
Meeting her gaze, he said, "I’m sorry," and tugged free of her grip. Snagging it, he tore the card from the envelope and scanned the message.
It read, Thinking of you. J.
Peeking around his elbow, Mia let out a breath of sound as she read the note as well. But he couldn’t tell if it was from relief or disappointment.
"This doesn’t mean anything," she said, sounding defensive. "A lot of people have names that start with J."
He turned. "What? Don’t you know what J stands for? Didn’t your roommate tell you who sent her the flowers?" She didn’t answer; Drew clenched his teeth. "Don’t you even care that she might be destroying a marriage? A family. This isn’t just my sister’s happiness at stake. She and Jeff have three kids together."
"Please, don’t," Mia whispered. Her eyes looked tortured.
He took her arm and tried to coax her closer but she resisted. "Just tell me you didn’t know."
She lifted her chin, looking defiant and scared at the same time. "I think you need to leave."
He dropped her arm. "Why?"
"I asked you not to open that card, Drew."
He snorted out a sound of disbelief. "You can’t blame me for wanting to know the truth. For needing to know the truth."
"No, but I can blame you for not respecting my wishes."
"Mia, this is my sister’s—"
"And Piper’s my best friend," she cried. "I won’t tell you what I do or don’t know about her private life."
"I don’t care about Piper. Just tell me if you knew or not."
"What does it matter? They’re not my secrets to reveal."
"I have to know."
She glanced away. "Will you please just go?"
He blew out a frustrated groan. It killed him that she stood so close, smelling so good, and yet he was unable to convey the emotions roiling through him. He just wanted to reach out and yank her against him.
As the image only grew in his head, he shivered. What the heck. He was already batting zero here. What was one more strike from a woman he probably wouldn’t see again?
"Mia, you’re right. It’ doesn’t matter. I can’t be upset with you for a being a good friend and keeping your roommate’s confidence."
She lifted her face, looking cautious and wary by his sudden change in attitude.
"I just …" He blew out some of the steam building in him. "I’m actually relieved. I didn’t want it to be you. From the first moment I saw you, I felt …" He shook his head, the sensation stronger than before, swelling in his chest.
Her eyes widened and lips parted.
"I don’t know how to describe it," he finished. "But it happened again yesterday. And it’s happening right now. I can’t just ignore this."
She took a jerking step back. "Maybe you should try harder."
Despite the uneasy way she eyed him, he grinned. "You feel it too, don’t you?"
"No," she was quick to reply, unable to keep eye contact as the statement blurted from her.
His lips spread. "Liar."
Scorching an indignant glare his way, her back stiffened. "You need to leave. Right now."
"Don’t be afraid, Mia." He kept his voice soft and his gaze kind, though he couldn’t stop himself from reaching out to wrap a long lock of her pale hair around his finger. When she gave a light gasp but didn’t yank away, he murmured, "I’m just as unsettled by this pull as you are."
Her eyes lifted, still apprehensive but also hopeful. "You don’t look unsettled."
He smiled, ecstatic she’d stopped fighting the truth. "Here," he told her, dropping her hair to catch her hand and press it against his racing heart. "That’s not what a settled person’s heart feels like, is it?"
Her gaze fell to her fingers as they lay spread against his chest. Her breathing grew stuttered, almost as if her anxiety was about to make her hyperventilate. But she continued to press her palm to him.
She lifted her face, looking extremely panicked. "I don’t … I can’t …"
"Shh," he said and covered her hand with his own so he was able to feel his own heartbeat thump through her shaking fingers. "It’s okay."
Then he bent his head and brushed his mouth against hers.
Chapter Six
Mia swayed forward, closing her eyes on instinct, and sank into Drew.
He had incredibly soft lips. Relaxed and soothed, she drifted, floating off the floor. It was a nice sensation. Alive and exhilarating. Drew didn’t demand, but coaxed, tempting her to give more.
He tasted faintly of … beer.
She pul
led back. "You have to go," she gasped and covered her betraying lips with trembling fingers.
For a moment, he merely swayed, his eyes still unfocused and hooded. Then his brow wrinkled, and he blinked. He stepped forward. "Mia—" He reached for her but she put up a hand, tears welling.
Her control shattering, she held fast onto the last few threads of composure. "You shouldn’t have read that note," she whispered, shaking her head furiously.
He froze. "But—"
"If you thought I’d betray my best friend to you over a kiss, you’re delusional."
"What?" His mouth fell open, and shock rose, evident on his face.
She shook her head. "Just leave me alone."
Spinning away, she ran all the way to her room, slamming the door and throwing herself on her bed.
He was still in the house. His presence overwhelmed her like a barbell pinned to her chest. But he didn’t stay long. Her ears strained as she listened to the soft tread of his shoes fade and then the front door squeak open and then close again. Finally, the pressure on her lungs eased and she sucked in air.
Her face burned from the strength of her tears and she buried her scorching cheeks into a cool pillow. Wrapping her arms around the cushion, she squeezed her wet lashes together and tried to imagine herself somewhere else. Her happy place.
It was a technique Dr. Higgins had taught her.
Escape.
Man, she was pathetic.
Yelling at him for reading Piper’s note had really only been an excuse. In truth, she’d been petrified. For three years, she’d struggled to feel real again. But here, the first moment it began to actually happen, she ran away like a little baby. Like a coward.
Drew had been her first kiss since Ryan.
•
Drew slapped the palm of his hand against the steering wheel. He scowled at the front door of Mia’s house and contemplated getting out and going back inside. He wanted to know what had gone wrong … what he’d done wrong. That kiss had just been starting to get good and then, wow, she’d burst into tears on him.
Confused and frustrated because he had no idea what had gone awry, he continued to sit there, scrutinizing her house until his phone rang. He groaned, not ready to talk to Mandy at all. Digging the cell out of his pocket to cut the ring, he glanced at the caller ID, only to discover it wasn’t his sister after all.
